VIRGINIA BEACH, VA – The father of a two-month-old girl will spend the next three decades in prison after beating his infant daughter to death while he was irritated by her cries, prosecutors said. La’Shaun Quintae Holloway, 27, received a 50-year sentence with 20 years suspended in the tragic 2019 case that led to his conviction on charges of second-degree murder and child abuse.
La’Shaun Quintae Holloway, 27, will serve 30 years behind bars in connection with the 2019 death of his infant daughter, following his conviction for second-degree murder and child abuse. The case was decided by a jury last August after a three-day trial.
Prosecutors said the incident occurred the night of December 20, 2019, when Holloway was the sole caregiver for the girl at their Virginia Beach residence on Woodcock Lane. Authorities revealed that during that evening, family members overheard Holloway yelling angrily at the crying baby while he played video games through a headset.
Shortly after the yelling was heard, the baby’s cries ceased, and she was discovered unresponsive. Emergency responders transported the infant to a local hospital, where doctors placed her on life support. Despite their efforts, the child died several days later.
Medical examiners determined the baby suffered severe injuries consistent with abusive head trauma. The autopsy documented 26 rib fractures at different stages of healing, a fractured clavicle, significant bruising to her chest and skull, swelling around her eyes, and a substantial brain hemorrhage.
Authorities noted that these extensive injuries reflected an ongoing pattern of abuse, not a single isolated incident. Holloway was charged after a grand jury indictment was issued in October 2021. By that time, he was already incarcerated in Chesapeake due to a separate conviction for child abuse and neglect.
In addition to the charges related to his daughter’s death, court records indicate Holloway has a history of criminal activity, including convictions for felony eluding, DUI, hit and run, as well as carrying a concealed weapon, petit larceny, and failure to appear.
Although Virginia sentencing guidelines recommended approximately 23 years for Holloway’s offenses, the presiding judge opted for a stiffer penalty, citing the victim’s young age, the brutality of the assault, and the accumulation of injuries.
Authorities have not publicly identified the infant to protect the family’s privacy. With Holloway now facing decades in prison, officials expressed hope that the sentence would provide a measure of justice for the young victim.